Loudspeaker mounting system

ABSTRACT

In a dropped ceiling assembly system elements are provided which include an elongate planar shelf held below an elongate spine. The shelf has lateral edges which can support edges of a ceiling tile resting thereon. This spine is configured to be held in position either adjacent to spines of other elements within a dropped ceiling or from above, such as by suspension wires passing through suspension holes in the spine. A compartment is provided on an underside of the shelf which is sized and shaped to receive and hold at least a portion of a loudspeaker therein. The loudspeaker mounting system is thus integrated into the shelf which also acts to hold ceiling tiles within a dropped ceiling.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/863,317 filed on Jan. 5, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/177,157 filed on Jun. 8, 2016 and issued as U.S.Pat. No. 9,883,267 on Jan. 30, 2018, which claims benefit under Title35, United States Code § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/174,403 filed on Jun. 11, 2015.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The following invention relates to brackets and other mounting systemsfor holding loudspeakers within a room where the loudspeakers are tooperate. More particularly, this invention relates to mounting systemsfor mounting of loudspeakers from a ceiling of a room where theloudspeaker is to operate, and particularly ceilings which are of asuspended ceiling variety with elongate horizontal T-bar elementsconfigured as a grid with ceiling tiles located in spaces of the grid,and which speaker mounting systems integrate into the T-bars of such asuspended ceiling grid.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Ceilings of habitable structures, and especially office buildings oftenhave a type of ceiling referred to as a “suspended ceiling.” Such asuspended ceiling is suspended below a more rigid upper portion of aroom by suspending a plurality of T-bars within a plane and then fittingceiling tiles between these T-bars, typically by resting upon ledgesextending laterally from the T-bars. The suspended ceiling beneficiallyhides HVAC equipment, cabling for telecommunications, wiring for powerand other service conduits, ducts, etc. from the habitable space. Theceiling tiles also can provide some degree of insulation so that thespace above the suspended ceiling does not need to be conditioned alongwith the rest of the habitable space. Access to the utility space abovethe suspended ceiling can easily be provided through the ceiling tilesby moving the ceiling tile out of the way, as the ceiling tilestypically are not fastened to the T-bars but only rest upon the ledgesof the T-bars.

In one typical configuration the T-bars include long T-bars which canrun parallel with each other and then short T-bars extendingperpendicularly between the long T-bars to complete the grid. In oneembodiment, these long T-bars are two feet apart so that the shortT-bars are each two feet long. In other embodiments, the long T-bars canbe further from each other (e.g. four feet apart or more).

Various structures benefit from being mounted within the suspendedceiling. For instance, lighting structures can have a two by two size ora two by four size and readily fit within a suspended ceiling betweenlong T-bars and between short T-bars (removing one short T-bar to fit atwo foot by four foot light). Furthermore, HVAC registers are oftenprovided in a two foot by two foot size to fit where a ceiling tile isskipped. Further, public address systems and ambiance providing musicsystems are known to be mounted into the suspended ceiling between theT-bars, in the form of loudspeakers.

While suspended ceilings are successful in achieving the functiondescribed above, the standardization of ceiling tile sizes as well aslighting sizes, air conditioning register sizes and loud speaker sizescan cause a ceiling to be limited in the way that it can appear to arelatively small subset of appearances. An architect or other designercan select ceiling tiles having different textures or colors, or canselect T-bars having different profiles to provide limited interest anduniqueness to an office space or other space having a suspended ceiling.However, the options are few. Furthermore, ceilings can take on asomewhat “cluttered” appearance when filled with lighting, HVACregisters and loudspeakers. In some instances it is desirable for theceiling to be more uniform without as many different visual structurescompeting for the attention of a person in such a space. Finally, it isdesirable to give architects and other designers options in the form offunctional elements for suspended ceilings so that such architects orother designers can fully utilize their creative talent to design anoptimal workspace or other environment within a building having asuspended ceiling.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

With this invention a T-bar like system element is provided whichincludes a loudspeaker incorporated therein. By incorporating theloudspeaker into the T-bar itself, architects and other designers havean additional option when designing a ceiling for a particular space.Typically, the T-bar with included loudspeaker is provided as a two footor four foot section (FIGS. 1 and 2), but other sizes could also beprovided. In one embodiment only part of the length of the T-bar sectionis fitted with the speaker, such as half speaker and half plain with thespeaker at an end or at a mid-portion, or with the speaker spanning lessor more than half of the length of the T-bar section.

Long T-bars can be provided spaced four feet apart and then this fourfoot distance can be spanned by four foot long T-bars. Finally, ifdesired, two shorter foot T-bars can be provided between adjacent longerfour foot T-bars to complete the square grid for suspended ceiling (ortwo foot T-bars can be left out so that the ceiling has a two foot byfour foot grid pattern. Through a combination of two foot and four footT-bar speaker system elements, as well as four foot T-bars with a twofoot speaker (as an example), speaker patterns can be provided includingsingle linear speakers, parallel lines of speakers, or squares or partsof squares or rectangles, each side fitted with speakers. Functionally,the speakers can thus be provided precisely where desired to provide theoptimal sound distribution into the space beneath the suspended ceilingand ceiling tile aesthetics are undisturbed.

The T-bar with incorporated loudspeaker preferably has a substantiallyconstant cross-sectional form so that it can be extruded and then fittedwith the speaker element. In one embodiment, the T-bar is extrudedaluminum. The T-bar could alternatively be formed by injection moldingor other molding procedures, or be extruded from materials other thanaluminum. The T-bar includes a spine. A speaker/sound system compartmentis provided which is generally rectangular and provided beneath a shelfwhich extends laterally from a lower edge of the spine of the T-bar.This compartment can fit an elongate speaker which in one embodiment isin the form of a series of speakers arrayed along a line to fill thecompartment, and in other embodiments is a speaker custom designed tohave an elongate form.

The speakers can be configured to have both high and low frequenciesprovided thereby, or as an alternative only provide high, or perhapshigh and mid frequencies, with lower frequencies provided from aseparate speaker, potentially with such a low frequency speaker providedabove the ceiling tiles as lower frequencies travel through interveningstructures more effectively than high frequencies in many instances. Acompartment is provided with side walls that are parallel and orientedspaced horizontally from each other.

A capture groove near a lower edge of each side wall is provided whichcan capture a grill. This grill acts as a cover for the speaker/soundsystem compartment which allows sound to readily pass therethrough. Thegrill could be a thin sheet of metal with holes therein, or could be afabric screen to hide the loudspeakers within the speakers/sound systemcompartment. This compartment could have various different widths toaccommodate different speaker sizes. In one embodiment, the lowersurface of the ceiling tiles and the grill can be provided in a commonplane and with a similar appearance, and with the tiles fittingsufficiently tightly between adjacent T-bars so that the ceiling can beprovided in a visual appearance which appears to be uninterrupted.

As an option, the extruded structure can be provided with or withoutribs extending vertically up from the shelves of the T-bar withoutermost ones of the ribs higher than other ribs extending up from theshelves. In this way, a gap is provided for air circulation between thevarious ribs extending up from the shelves. Furthermore, an upperportion of the spine can optionally include heat transfer fins extendinglaterally therefrom. These ribs and fins act together to help dissipateheat away from the speaker/sound system compartment, so that heatgenerated by the speaker can be readily dissipated to provide optimalperformance for the speaker. Furthermore, heat generated by the speakerdoes not end up passing into the conditioned space below the suspendedceiling, but rather is transferred with air in the space above thesuspended ceiling so that heat generated by the speaker/sound systemdoes not need to be removed by the HVAC system.

Wiring for the sound system can be routed up through the shelf in theT-bar like system element and then up into the space above the suspendedceiling for wiring into other portions of the sound system, such as anamplifier, separate bass speakers, and a sound source, such as an MP3player, CD player, radio tuner, or other original sound source.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is to provide aloudspeaker mounting system which allows speakers to be integrated intoa “suspended ceiling” of a space to be provided with a sound system.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a loudspeakermounting system which is integrated largely into existing ceilingelements in an unobtrusive manner.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a loudspeakermounting system which gives architects and other designers furtherflexibility in designing the appearance of a space which is desired tohave a sound system therein.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method formounting a speaker from a ceiling which integrates with T-bars of asuspended ceiling.

Other further objects of the present invention will become apparent froma careful reading of the included drawing figures, the claims anddetailed description of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a system generally in the form of aT-bar of a dropped ceiling which includes a compartment for mounting ofat least one speaker of a sound system for integration into a droppedceiling according to this invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a variation on that which is shown inFIG. 1 with a longer form.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a further variation of that which isshown in FIGS. 1 and 2, with a long form for a shelf and spine of theT-bar shown therein but with a smaller size for a speaker containingcompartment thereof.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a detail of a portion of that which isshown in FIGS. 1 and 2, revealing details of a speaker compartment andconnector.

FIG. 5 is an end elevation full sectional view of that which is shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 and with ceiling tiles resting on the shelf thereofaccording to one embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view from below of a dropped ceilingincorporating the loudspeaker mounting system of this invention, andwith portions of a ceiling tile thereof cut away to reveal furtherdetails of the overall assembly.

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of a further alternative T-bar gridutilizing long T-bars such as those shown in FIG. 2, short T-bars suchas those shown in FIG. 1 and hybrid T-bars such as that shown in FIG. 3together into a dropped ceiling in one implementation of the system andmethod of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals representlike parts throughout the various drawing figures, reference numeral 10is directed to a system for mounting a speaker S into a ceiling assembly100, such as a suspended ceiling with ceiling tiles C located in spacesin a grid of T-bars or similar system 10 elements. The system 10provides elongate elements which also function as T-bars within theceiling assembly 100 and include a compartment 30 for supporting atleast a portion of a speaker S therein, and preferably the entirespeaker S contained within this compartment 30.

In essence, and with particular reference to FIGS. 1-5, basic details ofthe system 10 are described, according to a preferred embodiment. Thesystem 10 provides elements within a ceiling assembly 100 which can comein a smaller size system embodiment 10, or a longer embodiment 110 (FIG.2) or a hybrid/half embodiment 120 (FIG. 3) where the shortenedcompartment 125 is shorter than the length of the overall T-bar likehybrid embodiment element 120. Each system 10 element includes anelongate planar shelf 20 extending between opposing ends. A spine 40extends up from the shelf 20, so that the spine 40 and shelf 20 togetherhave a T-bar like form. A compartment 30 is provided beneath the shelf20. This compartment 30 is configured so that it can contain at least aportion of a speaker S therein, and most preferably contain the entirespeaker S therein. The compartment 30 has an elongate form similar tothat of the shelf 20 (except in the half embodiment 120 where thecompartment 30 has a length approximately half that of the shelf 20).Connectors 50 are provided at opposite ends 44 of the spine 40 tofacilitate interconnection of separate system 10, 110, 120 elementstogether to form the grid structure of a ceiling assembly 100 forsupporting of ceiling tiles C in spaces therein.

More specifically, and with particular reference to FIGS. 4 and 5,details of the shelf 20 of the system 10 are described, according to apreferred embodiment. The shelf 20 is preferably formed as one part ofan extrusion along with the spine 40 (and preferably also thecompartment 30), with the shelf 20 and spine 40 formed from a commonunitary mass of material, most typically aluminum. The shelf 20 could beformed of other materials besides aluminum and could be formed fromother manufacturing processes either separate from the spine 40 or alongwith the spine 40. For instance, the shelf 20 could be formed of aninjection molded or extruded plastic material or could be formed bybending of sheets of material such as a thin sheet of steel, bent tohave the desired finished form of the shelf 20 alone or shelf 20 andspine 40 together.

The shelf 20 preferably has a constant cross-sectional form which issubstantially planar and horizontal when installed as part of a droppedceiling assembly 100 (FIGS. 6 and 7). The shelf 20 includes a planar topsurface 22 which is bounded by lateral edges 24 on either side of thistop surface 22. Opposing ends 26 of the shelf 20 define an overalllength for the shelf 20.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the distance between theseopposing ends 26 is approximately half of a length of the longembodiment 110. As a typical example, the distance between the opposingends 26 could be two feet with the long embodiment 110 having a distancebetween opposing ends 26 being four feet. Other appropriate measurementsmight include sixty centimeters for the shorter embodiment (FIG. 1) andone hundred twenty centimeters for the long embodiment 110. With thehalf embodiment 120 (FIG. 3) the shelf 20 has a length and configurationsimilar to that of the long embodiment 110. However, the shortenedcompartment 125 is half size with a size similar to that of thecompartment 30 provided with the short embodiment shelf 20 (FIG. 1).

The top surface 22 of the shelf 20 is preferably bisected by the spine40 joining to the shelf 20 at a midpoint thereof. A width of the shelf20 between the lateral edges 24 is such that when the spine 40 dividesthe top surface 22 into two portions each portion is still sufficientlylarge to securely hold an edge of a ceiling tile C resting thereon. In asimplest embodiment, the ceiling tiles C have rectangular edges whichmerely rest upon the top surface 22 of the shelf 20. In the embodimentparticularly shown in FIG. 5 the edges of the ceiling tiles C arenotched to provide a lap joint J at the edge of the ceiling tile C. Thisallows the ceiling tile C to rest with a lower surface of the ceilingtile C a little bit lower than it would otherwise rest, and help thecompartment 30 to be hidden somewhat by the ceiling tiles C. This effectcan be further increased by providing ceiling tiles C which are thickeror with an asymmetrical joint J that still has sufficient material tosupport the weight of the ceiling tile C by resting upon the shelf 20,but extend down to hide a greater portion or all of sides of thecompartment 30.

Furthermore, and particularly with speakers S which dissipate powerdirectly at the compartment 30, heat transfer fins can optionally beprovided extending up from an upper surface of the shelf 20 to assist indissipating heat generated within the compartment 30 by operation of thespeakers S therein. Where such heat transfer fins are supplied, mostpreferably they extend parallel with each other and vertically a similarheight, except that fins at extreme edges extending up from the lateraledges 24 of the top surface 22 of the shelf 20 are preferably slightlyhigher to facilitate air circulation to access gaps between all of theheat transfer fins and for maximum heat transfer effectiveness. It isworth noting that the heated air coming off of these heat transfer finsis not located within the space beneath the ceiling tiles, but rather isin a space above the ceiling tiles C. Thus, load on air conditioningwithin a space below the ceiling tiles C is not increased by heatgenerated by the speakers S, but rather this heat is effectively routedto the space above the ceiling tiles C and outside of the airconditioned space beneath the ceiling tiles C.

With particular reference to FIGS. 1-5, details of the compartment 30,125 for containing the speakers S are described. The compartment 30 islocated beneath the shelf 20. In a preferred embodiment the compartment30 is formed as a common extrusion along with the shelf 20 and spine 40.Alternatively, the compartment 30 can merely be attached to the shelf20, preferably in a permanent fashion, but alternatively with removablefasteners, such as screws or with other fasteners such as rivets, orthrough a welding procedure.

The compartment 30 can have any of a variety of different geometricconfigurations in various different widths in various embodiments ofthis invention. Most preferably, and as depicted in FIGS. 1-5, thecompartment 30 has a constant cross-sectional form with a width similarto a width of the shelf 20 from which the compartment 30 extendsdownwardly. The compartment 30 has a width defined by side walls 34which are preferably parallel and spaced from each other with thecompartment 30 therebetween.

An upper surface 32 of the compartment 30 is defined by a lower portionof the shelf 20. End walls 36 are provided at ends of the compartment 30defining an overall length of the compartment 30 and which arepreferably adjacent to the opposing ends 26 of the shelf 20 (except withthe half embodiment 120 (FIG. 3) where the end walls 36 include one endwall at a midpoint of the adjacent shelf 20).

A grille 38 preferably encloses the compartment 30 at least partially byspanning between lower tips of the side walls 34. This grille 38 couldattach in a variety of different ways. In one embodiment the tips of theside walls 34 include a groove extending horizontally and inwardly. Thegrille 38 can snap into this groove to be held adjacent the tips of theside walls 34. The grille 38 can have any of a variety of differentforms.

In one embodiment the grille 38 has a fabric-like form. In otherembodiments the grille 38 is a sheet of metal or plastic or othermaterial which is substantially rigid and includes a series of smallholes therein. The grille 38 is preferably removably attachable to theside walls 34 to facilitate installation of speakers S into thecompartment 30, and then with the grille 38 closing off the compartment30 and tending to keep the speakers S clean and protected from damage.

With continuing reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, details of the spine 40 aredescribed, according to this preferred embodiment. The spine 40 ispreferably formed along with the shelf 20 as a common extrusion. As analternative, the spine 40 could be formed separately and then joined tothe shelf 20, such as through utilizing fasteners. The spine 40 ispreferably formed of a material similar to that of the shelf 20 butcould be formed of some different material if desired. The spine 40preferably has a continuous form which is planar and elongate betweenopposite ends 44 defining an overall length of the spine 40 beingsimilar to an overall length of the shelf 20.

The spine 40 includes a lower edge 42 which carries the shelf 20thereto, and most preferably is formed as a unitary mass with the spine40 joined to the shelf 20 at this lower edge 42 of the spine 40. Anupper edge 43 is provided opposite the lower edge 42. This upper edge 43can be fitted with further heat transfer fins if desired to furtheraugment heat transfer away from speakers S within the compartment 30 (orsuch fins can be provided alone without the fins on the shelf 20).

The spine 40 also preferably includes suspension holes 46 periodicallypassing therethrough along with interconnection slots 48, with theinterconnection slots 48 most preferably provided near each end 44 ofthe spine 40 and at a midpoint of the spine 40 (particularly for thelong embodiment 110 of FIG. 2). The suspension holes 46 are typicallyutilized with wire routing therethrough and the wire anchored above thesuspended ceiling area, so that the grid of T-bar like system 10elements are suspended at a desired height above a space where thedropped ceiling is located. The suspension holes 46 provide that pointat which this grid of system 10 elements are positioned.

The interconnect slots 48 preferably extend vertically and have a heightsimilar to a height of the connectors 50 to join adjacent spines 40together within a grid of the ceiling assembly 100. The connectors 50are preferably in the form of generally rectangular rigid elements whichhave a base 52 opposite a tip 54. The base 52 is attached to one of theopposite ends 44 of the spine 40 and has the tip 54 extendinghorizontally away from the spine 40 past the end 44 to which theconnector 50 is attached. This tip 54 can have a hook-like toothextending downward from a tip thereof for more secure holding within aninterconnect slot 48, or can have merely a rectangular form to allow itto slip into one of the interconnect slots 48. The connectors 50 thushold ends 44 of one spine 40 within interconnect slots 48 of otherspines 40.

Utilizing system 10 elements of either the short embodiment 10 (FIG. 1)or the long embodiment 110 (FIG. 2) or the half embodiment 120 (FIG. 3)can allow an overall ceiling assembly 100 along with ceiling tiles C tobe formed, or an alternate ceiling assembly 200 (FIG. 7). In particular,a typical ceiling assembly 100, 200 includes long T-bar elements 210which will often span between walls of a room or as far as a T-barmaximum length can conveniently be provided. These long T-bar elements210 are typically spaced apart by a standard spacing distance such asevery four feet. Long embodiment 110 system elements can then spanperpendicularly between these longest T-bar elements 210. While it isconceivable that such longest T-bar elements 210 could have acompartment 30 therein for speakers S, most typically these longestT-bar elements are positioned where speakers S are not to be providedand merely provides structural support for the dropped ceiling assembly100, 200.

Either plain four foot T-bar elements can span between the longest T-barelements 210 or the long embodiment 110 system elements can span betweenthese longest T-bar elements 210. Typically, such long embodiment 110system elements or four foot long T-bars are placed every two feetbetween the longest T-bar elements 210. This results in spaces which aretwo feet by four feet which can have similarly sized ceiling tiles Cplaced therein. As an alternative, the short embodiment system 10elements can be provided parallel to the longest T-bar elements 210 andspanning between the long embodiment 110 system elements or four footplain T-bar elements spanning between the longest T-bar elements 210.Also plain two foot T-bars can similarly be provided in this parallelorientation between adjacent longest T-bar elements 210.

A resulting two foot by two foot space is provided for similarly sizedceiling tiles C to fit therein. In such an arrangement, it can be seenthat there is a benefit to providing the half embodiment 110 systemelement which has a shortened compartment 125 on a portion thereof andwith the remaining portion of the half embodiment 110 system elementhaving a configuration similar to that of a plain T-bar with a shelf 20and spine 40 but without any compartment 30. Accordingly, in suchceiling assemblies 100 and alternate ceiling assemblies 200 compartments30 for speakers S can be provided at any location other than as part ofthe longest T-bar elements 210.

In other ceiling assemblies, and recognizing that each T-bar typeelement can be suspended independently from suspension holes 46associated therewith, it is not required that longest T-bar elements 210be provided, but rather an entire suspended ceiling can be provided fromshorter T-bar type elements. It is conceivable that every shelf of everyT-bar within a dropped ceiling could have a compartment 30 therein.Speakers S could then be provided everywhere within the suspendedceiling, rather than only in select locations. It is also conceivablethat while the compartments 30 would be located everywhere, that thespeakers S would be concentrated only in certain locations where soundis desired to be emitted. Thus, a ceiling of uniform appearance can beprovided but with speakers S only at certain locations therein.

In a typical installation, speakers S would be provided within thecompartments 30 entirely (as a potential alternative, the speakers couldextend down from the compartment 30 somewhat so that the compartment 30merely acts as containment for a portion of the speakers S and/or toprovide mounting for the speakers S). The upper surface 32 and sidewalls 34 can be appropriately modified to facilitate mounting ofspeakers S therein. Such modification will typically involve at leastone hole passing through the shelf 20 to allow for wiring and cabling tothe speaker S within the compartment 30 to provide power and/or soundsignal to the speaker S.

This cabling 134 can be routed all the way back to a centralizedamplifier sound and power source. As an alternative, such amplificationand sound source componetry can be distributed throughout the ceilingassembly 100, such as with power/signal supply modules 130 included on abracket 132 which can mount to the upper edge 43 or otherwise to thespine 40 (FIG. 6) and with cabling 134 routed to such a power/signalsupply 130, and then supplying power into the speakers S within thecompartment 30 of each system 10 element. Such a power/signal supply 130could be provided on each spine 40 for appropriately powering thespeakers S within the compartment 30 associated with the spine 40, oronly certain spines 40 of certain system 10 elements would be providedwith such a power/signal supply 130 to supply power and signal to aregion of speakers S within compartments 30 of adjacent system 10elements.

A room having the suspended ceiling could have speakers S therein allpowered with the same signal or different regions within the room couldreceive different sound signals. Differentiating the sound signals couldinclude merely volume control but with the same sound signal or couldinclude different sound signals so that sound appropriate for eachregion within the room can be provided.

This disclosure is provided to reveal a preferred embodiment of theinvention and a best mode for practicing the invention. Having thusdescribed the invention in this way, it should be apparent that variousdifferent modifications can be made to the preferred embodiment withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of this invention disclosure. Whenstructures are identified as a means to perform a function, theidentification is intended to include all structures which can performthe function specified. When structures of this invention are identifiedas being coupled together, such language should be interpreted broadlyto include the structures being coupled directly together or coupledtogether through intervening structures. Such coupling could bepermanent or temporary and either in a rigid fashion or in a fashionwhich allows pivoting, sliding or other relative motion while stillproviding some form of attachment, unless specifically restricted.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for mounting a T-bar with a compartmentfrom a ceiling, the system comprising: an elongated spine extending froma first terminal end to a second terminal end, the elongated spine beinga thin planar structure extending between the first and second terminalends; a planar shelf below the elongated spine and extending to bothlateral sides of the elongated spine, wherein the planar shelf ispositioned so that at least one ceiling tile may rest upon each lateralside of the planar shelf extending from the elongated spine; a pluralityof connectors, each connector located at each terminal end of theelongated spine; and a compartment, the compartment located on thebottom side of the planar shelf.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein thecompartment includes a pair of sidewalls extending down from each of thelateral sides of the planar shelf, with the compartment between the pairof sidewalls.
 3. The system of claim 2 wherein the pair of sidewalls areoriented parallel with each other and spaced apart by a width of thecompartment.
 4. The system of claim 2 wherein the compartment has asubstantially constant cross-sectional form between the pair ofsidewalls.
 5. The system of claim 2 wherein the pair of side walls eachextend down to lower tips.
 6. The system of claim 5 wherein each of thelower tips of each of the pair of sidewalls include horizontal groovestherein extending parallel with the planar shelf.
 7. The system of claim6 wherein the grooves extend inwardly toward each other and within acommon plane.
 8. The system of claim 2 wherein an upper surface of thecompartment is defined by a lower surface of the planar shelf.
 9. Thesystem of claim 2 wherein at least a portion of a loudspeaker is locatedwithin the compartment.
 10. The system of claim 2 wherein electronicequipment is supported within the compartment.
 11. A method forsupporting an elongate compartment between ceiling tiles of a ceiling,the method including the steps of: placing at least two ceiling tileswith edges of the ceiling tiles resting upon opposite lateral sides of aplanar shelf of a T-bar, the T-bar having an elongated spine extendingfrom a first to terminal and to a second terminal and, the elongatedspine being a thin planar structure extending up from the planar shelfbetween the first and second terminal ends, the planar shelf extendingto both lateral sides of the elongated spine, wherein the planar shelfis positioned so that at least one ceiling tile may rest upon eachlateral side of the planar shelf extending from the elongated spine; andconnecting the T-bar to adjacent structures through a plurality ofconnectors, each connector located at each terminal end of the elongatedspine, and with a compartment located on a bottom side of the planarshelf and between the ceiling tiles resting upon the planar shelf of theT-bar.
 12. The method of claim 11 including the further step of placingelectronic equipment within the compartment.
 13. The method of claim 12including the further step of placing at least a portion of aloudspeaker within the compartment.
 14. The method of claim 11 whereinthe compartment of said placing step includes a pair of sidewallsextending down from the planar shelf to lower tips.
 15. The method ofclaim 14 wherein the compartment of said placing step includes the lowertips of the side walls having grooves therein which are orientedhorizontally and parallel with the planar shelf, the grooves extendinginwardly toward each other.
 16. The method of claim 11 wherein saidconnecting step precedes said placing step.